A&E services at Chamonix hospital set to close out of high season
News broke this week in the valley that, after much speculation, the Chamonix hospital will close its doors for A&E services outside the main tourist season.
This means there will be no emergency welcome at the hospital from around May 2009. It has not been confirmed when or if the A&E services wil resume for the summer season. At at meeting held this week, many involved in the emergency rescue chain expressed their concerns over this latest plan to further reduce medical services in Chamonix.
Jean Louis Verdier, co-charged with looking after mountain security in the valley commented: "In a crisis situation such as that we witnessed with the eight deaths on the Tacul this summer, it's scandalous that we can't open the hospital." Yvon Richer, director of Chamonix hospital responded by saying: "Sallanches hospital is equipped and ready to deal with such emergencies."
This is all very well, but even the PGHM is concerned that the chain of people involved in rescue efforts is becoming increasingly strained with the reduction of hospital services in Chamonix. Commander Regis Lavergne of the PGHM mountain rescue services cited that fact that time was of essence in many alpine rescue situations. If the weather is good, the helicopter can get to Sallanches hospital in minutes. If the weather isn't favourable for flying, the patient may even have to be transferred by ambulance and that could put the chances of survival down massively. If a patient is not treated within the 'golden hour', chances of death increase by 40%.
To give you an idea of the history of Chamonix hospital, here's a timeline reminder:
1994 The new Chamonix hospital costing 12million euros is officially opened
1999 The materity wing closes
2001 The operating theatre wing closes
2005 Night time A&E services cancelled
May 2009 The end of daytime off-peak A&E services
We're starting to wonder where it will all end! As someone who ended up at Chamonix hospital following a mountain bike fall, I can say from personal experience that I was seen to straight away and received excellent care. I'm very grateful I didn't have to go all the way to Sallanches with a face spouting blood everywhere!
One could say it's your choice to take part in 'risky' sports and you should assume the risks and that's not justification for having A&E on your doorstep, but surely if those directly involved in rescue missions are concerned about this latest downsizing exercise (just weeks after the Government wanted to shut the weather office!) there is a reason to have A&E services in Chamonix?
